Group test: 40-42in TVs pt2

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Overview Price comparison: Pioneer KURO PDP-428XD More info: Pioneer Size: 115(d) x 679(h) x 1040(w)mm Weight: 29.6kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 16000:1 Claimed max brightness: N/A Connections: Three HDMI inputs (PC and video); Three Scarts (2 RGB); component video input; composite video input; S-Video input; D-Sub PC input; Stereo audio output; headphone jack; stereo audio inputs; CAM slot; RF input; USB socket; subwoofer output; digital audio output Pioneer KURO PDP-428XD In case you're wondering, the KURO part of this Pioneer's name is Japanese for black. And Pioneer has made such a big deal out of it for the simple reason that black really is a crucial part of what makes the 428XD into arguably the finest 42in flat TV we've ever seen. The thing is that Pioneer believes the 428XD's black level response to be quite simply unprecedented in the flat TV world - a bold claim achieved via a long list of innovations including a completely new plasma glass design and plasma address system; improvements to Pioneer's proprietary 'crystal emissive layer' for boosting the efficiency of the plasma discharge cycle; and totally new image processing developed to work differently with light and dark scenes. There are plenty of other features we could discuss too. But we'll restrict ourselves to mentioning a 72Hz playback mode designed to deliver clean, smooth results when watching 1080p/24Hz HD pictures (like those output by some HD disc players), and the facility to have the screen professionally calibrated by an Imaging Science Foundation engineer. The 428XD's pictures are every bit as revolutionary as Pioneer promised. The depth, purity and naturalism of its black level response is simply remarkable, making even near pitch black scenes like those where The Bride is buried alive in Kill Bill Volume 2, look engaging, believable and just plain cinematic. This fiendishly good black level response also helps colours achieve a dynamism and range of hue that's simply beyond any other flat TV right now, helping pictures look engaging and vibrant in equal, spectacular measure. The set isn't full HD, but it still produces fine detail by the bucketload. Indeed, the quality of Pioneer's image processing is such that for our money its HD Ready pictures actually look sharper than many full HD TV pictures. With terrifically potent audio options as well, really the only thing that might put you off buying a 428XD is its price. But as we've found ourselves saying many times before, the best things in life are seldom free.

Verdict Plus points Near-perfect pictures, features galore, awesome audio, designer finish Minus points Expensive versus most rivals

Overview Price comaprison: Samsung LE-40M87BD More info: Samsung Size (on stand): 971(w) x 687(h) x 300(d)mm Weight: 20.9kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 15000:1 Claimed max brightness: 550cd/m2 Connections: Three HDMI inputs, three Scarts (2 RGB), component video input, composite video input, D-Sub PC input, Stereo audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, CAM slot, RF input Samsung LE-40M87BD The first thing that strikes you about this Samsung model is the fact that it looks stunning in its glossy black bezel and minimal, chic lines. Plus, it's got connectivity to die for, including three HDMIs which all, impressively, enjoy the latest v1.3 specification. The HDMIs also impress by being able to take the Blu-ray/HD DVD 1080p/24fps format. Another thing that really catches our eye about the 40M87BD is its outlandishly high claimed contrast ratio of 15000:1 - the sort of number usually reserved for premium plasma screens. Apparently this is achieved via Samsung's new Super Clear LCD panel technology and an automatic backlight system that reduces the screen's brightness output during dark scenes. Other 40M87BD tricks include Movie Plus processing for reducing LCD's traditional resolution loss over moving objects; and an 'edge enhancer'. What's more, most of the 40M87BD's features play a real part in producing some exceptionally good LCD picture quality. For instance, the black level response reproduced during dark movie scenes is arguably the best yet seen on a 40in LCD TV. The TV has a full HD pixel count, meanwhile, which earns its corn by rendering with pinpoint precision every pixel of image data from a good high definition source. It's noticeable, too, how this detailing is delivered without any serious noise. Colours benefit from the full HD situation, too, with unusually subtle blends to accompany the full-on brightness and rich saturations we've come to expect from Samsung TVs. There is room for improvement with the 40M87BD's motion handling,though. For without the set's Movie Plus mode activated, motion suffers noticeable resolution loss as objects cross the screen. Yet activating Movie Plus introduces distracting shimmering artefacts around the edges of moving objects, even though they certainly look crisper.

Verdict Plus points Generally good pictures, great price, well designed, excellent connections and feature count Minus points Motion blur, some of the picture options are flawed

Final verdict The first thing to say here is just how impressed we were with the overall quality of the TVs we looked at for this group test. Frankly any of them would make a mighty fine home cinema centrepiece - which is a testament to just how far LCD technology in particular has come in recent times. Having said that, despite their qualities it's our two LCD contenders which occupy the bottom two slots in our final league table, suggesting that plasma technology is far from the dead duck some LCD supporters would have you believe. Bottom place, unfortunately, belongs to JVC's 42DV8. This seems extremely harsh on a TV that sports, thanks to its 100Hz system, quite possibly the clearest, crispest motion yet seen on an LCD TV. But we guess tackling just one of LCD's technological shortcomings can only get you so far when you're slightly off the pace in other areas. Samsung LE40M87 takes the bronze medal. This is a fearsomely well-specified TV at a crackingly affordable price, which also delivers consistently impressive pictures, complete with black levels that leave most LCD rivals for dead. But it falls down just enough with motion to fetch it up short of our two plasma contenders. It's quite hard to pick a winner between these two plasma heroes. They both cost pretty much the same, with the Panasonic 42PZ700 claiming a full HD resolution while the Pioneer 428XD claims world-beating black level response and a huge feature count. In the end, it came down to a feeling that the Pioneer's black level and colour supremacy ultimately delivered slightly more positive impact than the Panasonic's extra resolution.

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